Genre: Contemporary Romance

I’m not a big fan of office romances because they can be a bit too far fetched, but when I read the synopsis to Nina Crespo’s Forget You, I was intrigued. I like amnesia stories because of the possibilities and I know that a few can be really well written and a few are forgettable. I struggled a bit with Forget You, but it was a quick read. Character development is a little weak. Sophie Jordan is a no-nonsense Executive Assistant who is on top of her game and can always be counted on. She has dreams of opening up her own jewelry line and she’s a bit of a klutz, but nothing that will annoy you. Then we have Nicolas “King” Kingman, Sophie’s CEO of a boss. He’s a… Read more »

Jill Shalvis’ books always put me in a happy place and when I was given the opportunity to participate in the Rainy Day Friends blog tour, I couldn’t pass up the chance! Rainy Day Friends is the second book in the Wildstone series, but is very much a standalone novel. We have really great character development. Lanie Jacobs is a widow and is in search of getting away from it all. She’s tough and wants to protect herself which makes perfect sense since her husband turned out to be liar and a cheater. Lanie is also a bit shy, but a loyal friend. You’ll like her a lot! Then we have Mark Capriotti, Air Force veteran who is now the local police force. He’s fun and he also has his… Read more »

Having spent a year and half living abroad while I completed a Master’s Degree, it’s easy to understand why I adore books set at foreign universities especially English and Scottish universities. They give me the chance to relive my time abroad, but also pine for a time when things were a bit carefree. When I was given the opportunity to review Julie Whelan’s My Oxford Year, I couldn’t pass up the chance! Ella Durran had a plan to attend Oxford and when her dream comes true, as a Rhodes Scholar, she has no idea her life is about to be turned upside down. Ella is a modern feminist and is very active on the political scene. Upon arriving at Oxford she gets a huge opportunity and has to make a… Read more »

Chasing Christmas Eve is the fourth novel in the Heartbreaker Bay series and when given the opportunity to review it, I couldn’t pass up the chance. If you haven’t read any of the books in the series, it’s not necessary to enjoy Chasing Christmas Eve. While Jill Shalvis includes past characters, there’s nothing I consider to be spoilers and you can enjoy previous books in the series. We have good character development. Colbie Albright is an author suffering the dreaded writer’s block. She’s a bit of a free spirit, but very responsible. You’ll like her and I personally loved the creative ways she cursed. I might be borrowing “son of a seacock.” And then there’s Spencer Baldwin, our geeky, intelligent, workaholic hero. I fell for Spence from the moment I… Read more »

I’ve been wanting to read a Jill Shalvis book for a long time, but never had the chance and with an extensive backlist, I wasn’t sure which book to start with. When a copy of The Trouble with Mistletoe was included in an Avon Addicts package, I knew I couldn’t pass up the opportunity and I’m so glad I took the chance. This is the second book in the Heartbreaker Bay series, but very much reads as a standalone. We have good character development. Willa Davis owns her own pet grooming / boarding shop called the South Bark Mutt Shop. She’s always looking out for others and making sure her friends are taken care of. She’s also not afraid to step out of her boundaries and it really shows in… Read more »

Over the Christmas break, I read my first Jill Shalvis book, The Trouble with Mistotle. I loved it and couldn’t wait to read more of her books! When I was given the opportunity to review Accidentally on Purpose, I couldn’t say no. It’s the third book in her Heartbreaker Bay series and if you haven’t read any of the books in the series, it’s not necessary to enjoy Accidentally on Purpose. Although, I have a confession…I actually thought Accidentally on Purpose was part of a different series and thought how nice it was that other Shalvis characters made cameos! We have great character development. Elle Wheaten is a strong and independent woman! She’s definitely a woman who can handle anything thrown her way. Elle is also fiercely loyal and isn’t… Read more »

The Dempsy clan is back and this time it’s Alex’s story! If you haven’t read the first book in the Hot in Chicago series, it’s not necessary to enjoy Kate Meader’s Playing with Fire. I do recommend it because you’ll get introduced to the Dempsy family and everyone around them. Meader does a pretty good job at keeping spoilers out of books in the series and I do believe you’ll be okay delving into book two. We have really good character development. Alexandra Dempsy is a female firefighter trying to prove to the boys she can handle any job thrown her way. She’s tough, can kick ass, but also is vulnerable. Alex really is a woman who can handle her own and isn’t afraid to take matters into her own… Read more »

Woo-hoo! Kate Meader is back with a new Hot in Chicago book! Sparking the Fire is the third and final book in her Hot in Chicago series and if you haven’t read any of the books in the series, it’s not necessary in order to enjoy Sparking the Fire. I’ve read all of them and while Meader will mention an event or two from the previous books, it’s nothing that I consider to be a huge spoiler. We have great character development. Molly Cade is a Hollywood actress struggling to get her career back on track. At first, Molly comes off as bit vulnerable, but she quickly establishes herself as a capable woman. She’s not afraid to fight for what she wants and isn’t afraid to stand up for herself…. Read more »

Karen Erickson is an author I’ve always wanted to read, but haven’t had the chance. When the opportunity came to participate in the Smolder blog tour, I couldn’t say no. Smolder is the second book in the Wildwood series and if you haven’t read the first, Ignite, it’s not necessary to do so in order to enjoy Smolder. I will say this, there is a running story involving an arsonist and won’t say anything else because I don’t want to ruin the story for anyone. We have really good character development. Delilah Moore is a dance instructor and owns her own studio. She’s not afraid to go after what she wants and she has her eyes set on Deputy Sheriff Officer, Lane Gallagher. And what I can say about Lane?… Read more »

Lori Wilde is an author I’ve wanted to read, but never had the chance. When given the opportunity to participate in the blog tour for I’ll Be Home for Christmas, I couldn’t say no. I’ll Be Home for Christmas is the seventh book in the Twilight, Texas series and if you haven’t read the previous novels, it’s not necessary to do so. If you’re wondering about possible spoilers, I didn’t see any that might be considered as spoilers. We have good character development. Gabi Preston needs time to think of her next move. She’s just dropped out of law school and isn’t sure if she wants to follow in the footsteps of her parents. Gabi is likable and you’ll easily feel for her especially when it comes to her brother!… Read more »

Toni Blake is an author I’ve always wanted to read, but just haven’t had the chance to do so. When the opportunity came to participate in the blog tour for Take Me All the Way, I couldn’t say no. Take Me All the Way is the third book in her Coral Cave series. If you haven’t read the previous two books, it’s not necessary to do so in order to enjoy Take Me All the Way. Although I will warn you, there are some spoilers for the previous books, but not any that I consider huge spoilers. We have good character development. Our heroine, Tamra Day is an artist / landscaper and she had a difficult childhood. She’s also very shy and takes the time to get to know a… Read more »

I’ve read a few of Julia London’s historicals and she’s one I want to read more of. When the opportunity came to review a contemporary under the pen name, Jessa McAdams, I was intrigued. When I read the plot involved the Scottish Highlands, I couldn’t pass up the chance! Character development is a bit weak. Sloane Chatfield is an American girl who decided to leave it all behind for a few weeks to find her real life Jamie Fraser in Scotland. If you’re not familiar with who Fraser is, you’re not alone! Even our hero Galen Buchanan had no idea who he was, but I’ll be kind to you. Fraser of course is the hero in the Diana Gabaldon novels and one who has stolen the hearts of thousands of… Read more »